Salmon Balls With Creamy Avocado Sauce (Printable)
Delicate salmon bites paired with a tangy, creamy avocado blend for a fresh, protein-rich appetizer or light meal.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Salmon Balls
01 - 1.1 lbs fresh salmon fillet, skinless, finely chopped
02 - 1 small onion, finely diced
03 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
05 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
06 - 1 egg, lightly beaten
07 - ½ cup breadcrumbs (use gluten-free if needed)
08 - 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
09 - 1 tsp lemon zest
10 - ½ tsp salt
11 - ¼ tsp black pepper
12 - 2 tbsp olive oil (for pan-frying)
→ Creamy Avocado Sauce
13 - 1 ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
14 - ½ cup Greek yogurt
15 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
16 - 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
17 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
18 - 2 tbsp fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
19 - ¼ tsp salt
20 - ⅛ tsp black pepper
# How-To Steps:
01 - In a large bowl, combine chopped salmon, onion, garlic, dill, parsley, egg, breadcrumbs, Dijon mustard, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined; do not overwork the mixture.
02 - With damp hands to prevent sticking, shape the mixture into small balls using about 1 heaping tablespoon per ball. Place shaped balls on a tray.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Fry the salmon balls in batches, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through, approximately 8–10 minutes total. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towel to drain excess oil.
04 - Combine avocado, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, cilantro or parsley, salt, and pepper in a food processor or blender. Process until smooth and creamy.
05 - Serve the salmon balls warm, accompanied by the creamy avocado sauce for dipping or drizzling.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The combination of tender, pan-fried salmon and that cool, creamy avocado sauce hits every satisfying texture and flavor note in one bite.
- These feel fancy enough for dinner guests but come together in under an hour on a random Tuesday night.
02 -
- Overworking the salmon mixture makes the balls tough, so mix gently and stop as soon as everything is combined.
- The avocado sauce thickens in the fridge, so add a teaspoon of water if it needs loosening before serving.
03 -
- Keep a bowl of water nearby to dip your hands in between shaping each ball.
- Make extra sauce because it is also fantastic on eggs, roasted vegetables, or as a sandwich spread.